Which 4K TV under $1,000 is best?

If you want the crispest and clearest image on your TV, you have to go 4K. Thankfully, they’ve finally become mainstream enough that there are great options available for $1,000 or less.

That said, when buying a 4K TV on a budget, you may have to make some sacrifices. For example, there are different types of lighting for TVs, and you may have to choose between a large, edge-lit 65-inch TV, which may have a dim picture and a smaller 55-inch TV that’s brighter and has better contrast because it features direct lighting.

What to know before you buy a 4K TV under $1,000

Types of 4K TVs

Technically speaking, there are only two types of 4K TVs: LED and OLED. However, when looking at the various models on the market, you’ll also encounter terms like QLED and XLED, which can make things confusing.

Other than OLED TVs, which utilize a completely different type of technology, all of the other TVs are a form of LED TV. In LED TVs, the screens are either lit from the edge or from behind the images. Models that are lit from the edge are known as edge-lit TVs, and those that are lit from behind are known as backlit. Backlit TVs can be further broken down into direct-lit and full-array. All backlit TVs offer better brightness and contrast than edge-lit TVs, and of the two types of backlit TVs, direct-array models are the best because they’re capable of illuminating separate sectors behind the display.

Despite having LED in the name, OLED TVs are not actually LED TVs. Instead, they use a different type of technology that allows them to emit light on a pixel-by-pixel basis rather than in large sections behind the images or from the edge of the display. On an OLED TV, unused pixels can be turned off, so you can have a pitch-black pixel right next to a bright white one, resulting in an image with exceptionally high levels of contrast and clarity. Unfortunately, 4K OLED TVs are often very expensive, and finding one for less than $1,000 is difficult.

Sizes

When choosing a 4K TV, you shouldn’t automatically pick the biggest one you can afford. You may find that you have a better viewing experience on a 50-inch TV with a better lighting system than on a 65-inch model that’s edge-lit.

You should also consider the space where you’ll be placing the TV. Ideally, a TV should fit in well in a room rather than look oversized and take over the entire space. For bedroom use, 40- to 55-inch TVs are usually a good option, while living rooms can often accommodate TVs 60-85 inches.

Features to look for in a quality 4K TV under $1,000

Refresh rate

A television’s refresh rate refers to how many times per second the image on the screen is refreshed. The more times it’s refreshed, the smoother movement will be. This is very important for fast-action content, gaming and sports. These days, the standard refresh rate is 60Hz, but better-quality TVs have a 120Hz or 240Hz refresh rate.

High-dynamic range

High-dynamic range is a type of software that increases the brightness, contrast and color of a TV. When watching HDR content on a TV that supports it, the blacks will be deeper, the colors more vibrant, and the shadows, highlights and textures more prominent. It should be noted there are different levels of HDR, such as HDR10 and HDR10+. HDR10+ is significantly better as it adjusts the brightness, color and contrast on a frame-by-frame basis. This is in contrast to standard HDR, which uses the same settings for the entire movie or TV show.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is similar to HDR10+ in that it enhances the brightness, color and contrast of images dynamically, but it’s even better at increasing colors and contrast. It offers 10 times the brightness of HDR10 and 2.5 times the brightness of HDR10+. It’s also capable of producing up to 68 billion colors.

Smart functionality

If you plan on watching any content on popular streaming services, you need a TV with smart functionality. This enables it to connect to the internet and run apps. While nearly all 4K TVs have smart functionality, they can run different operating systems and have different interfaces. The most popular operating systems are Android TV, Google TV, Roku, WebOS and Tizen.

Ports

The number and type of ports a television has determines what peripheral devices you can connect to it. Some budget models may only have a single USB and HDMI port, which won’t be enough if you plan on connecting a cable box and a video game console simultaneously. Others have several USB and HDMI ports.

How much can you expect to spend on a 4K TV under $1,000?

The least amount you can expect to spend on a 4K television is around $300, and these are generally edge-lit models 45 inches or less in size. If you want a quality backlit model, it’s better to budget $500-$1,000, depending on the size and other features.

4K TV under $1,000 FAQ

Where can I find 4K content to watch?

A. Currently, the best place to watch 4K content is on popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. They all have a large variety of content in 4K, so you won’t be left wanting for things to watch. Unfortunately, if you rely solely on broadcast cable for your content, buying a 4K television may not be worth buying, as most have few channels in 4K.

Is there really a noticeable difference between 1080p and 4K?

A. Without a doubt, there’s a quality difference between images displayed in 1080p and 4K; however, there are some caveats. The size of the TV and the distance you sit from it determine how noticeable that difference is. If you have a 45-inch TV and sit more than a few feet away from it, 1080p and 4K will look almost identical to the human eye. However, if you have a 75-inch TV, you could easily sit 6-10 feet away from it and notice a stark difference between 1080p and 4K.

What’s the best 4K TV under $1,000 to buy?

Top 4K TV under $1,000

Samsung 65-Inch Class Q60T QLED

What you need to know: Those looking for maximum size for their budget will enjoy the 65-inch Q60T.

What you’ll love: It boasts more vibrant colors than most other TVs in its price range, and its dual-LED backlighting produces good contrast.

What you should consider: The 60Hz refresh rate can result in some blurring during fast movements.

Worth checking out

Hisense 65-inch 4K UHD Smart Google TV

What you need to know: This budget smart TV is jam-packed with premium features and superior image quality.

What you’ll love: While the price is low, the screen is still big at 65 inches. It’s also got built-in Google TV smart features so you can watch your favorite shows easily.

What you should consider: Some people had pixel problems on their TVs that were missed by quality control.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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